Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Proud Again

Proud the voting went well - imperfect, but well. Proud so many people got out and voted. Proud of Senator McCain's gracious speech - last night he sounded like the McCain I remember. Proud we made history by electing the first African American president. Proud we elected the right president for our times.

A week or two ago, I listened to a bit of Prairie Home Companion, and Keillor talked about how polls showing Obama in the lead were supported by his observations of liberals around town. They had a certain lightness of step, smiled and laughed easily, were getting lots of sex, seemed rested and at ease. Non-liberals, well...

YES! I'm also proud for all the same reasons you mentioned, and I haven't felt that kind of pride in a LONG time. And I'm proud of my 19-year-old daughter, a proud Democrat who couldn't wait to cast her vote for Obama.

There was so much love pouring forth from American citizens of every political stripe last night, even cynics (of which I can too often claim membership) were moved to tears. This reminds me of the movie "Meet John Doe" where the movement became bigger than the man and the spirit of service and generosity spread like wildfire. It's wonderful.

Just remember, Democrats were voted into office back in 2006 to end the war, to bring troops home, but did they do it? Nope. Dems even had control of the senate and rep!! This is going to be just a new Caesar in power saying he can do it, saying things will change. The same mantra Bush pushed back in 2000. No nation building, etc. How easy we all forget. This messianic leader is just George Bush in a new outfit. Wheres the change? Once we step out of this left/right paradigm and start actually working together at ground level and stop relying on some puppet in office, then we can make this country great.

Obama is no lefty. I think a centrist president is good - he can represent all of us, not just one side. So I have hopes that he can get our sluggish senate and house moving and working together. Politicians make promises, and Obama's a politician. But he has galvanized this country like no other politician has. We didn't just vote for him, we paid for his campaign. We worked for him. And we are willing to continue to do so. He won't be doing this alone.

Let's roll up our sleeves, people! What we do affects the world. Our community is global. I've never been more aware of it than I am today, but Obama has known it all along.

Great moment in world history and you were lucky enough to be part of it. I'm so glad that the right man won.

I think the reason McCain sounded like himself in his speech is because they were his words and not those of his "team". If he had stayed true to himself he may have done a bit better, but it just wasn't his time.

As a cynical optimist it is refreshing to see the Bradley effect did not take hold. Obama it had to be, not only for America but the world. Today you should be proud, especially for the anount who actually went out and voted, no voter apathy. The world today definitely thanks America. A long time coming.

Susan C, a friend went to the Pasadena victory party last night at the Hilton (wish I'd known about it!). She talked to some 17-year-olds there who were bummed out they hadn't gotten to vote! Nevertheless, they had campaigned. It's everybody's process to participate in after all.

I feel giddy, too, Eric!

C.O., I'm sure he knows those two years are important. Part of the work we citizens can do is support him - and we can do that partly by pressuring our representatives in Congress to work together to get the nation going again.

Cafe Observer said "He has 2 yrs to produce results otherwise he'll face the same thing from the voters Clinton & his Demo congress faced after his 1st 2yrs."

Agreed. This election was a painful slog, but it was the easy part.

(I held my nose when I voted for Clinton, who got elected by prying planks from the GOP's platform—but recall that a certain Mr. Gingrich & Co. were equally responsible for Congress's deadlock after the the 1st 2yrs.)

Besides being proud of The P, I'm proud of our local college kid/politician done good, Obama, formerly of private Occidental College 5 min away here in Eagle Rock from 79-81 before transfering to Columbia (i think). Pasadena played a part in shaping him to be the man he is now! From Jackie Robinson to Barack Obama - remember this is the best area in the country! I vaguely recall meeting someone like him in these parts back then. Maybe it was BO...Oxy College And Obama

He's far from wonderful since he's a politician after all. I think he'll come back here to give a commencement speech one year.

Despite who we voted for, who was elected, what props and measures did or did not prevail to our liking, I too am proud to be an American! I am proud of our constitution and the liberties we have to vote. Thank you for the reminder!

Well said and great posts.. all of them. I just got home from the store and someone has removed the plastic Obama signs from the wire frames on my lawn. I don't know if it's the guy across the street with the McCain sign or if the Dems came by to pick up signs.. I was going to save them. Oh, well. He won and there is hope in the land again.